Brewers Select SS Eric Brown 27th Overall

Eric Brown is a solid defensive shortstop with good bat-to-ball skills. 

He has an unorthodox stance - similar to Craig Counsell's - but gets the most out of it. Read more below.

Slot value for the 27th pick is $2,700,500.

What did the main publications have to say?

ESPN (#28)

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Brown is unique in being a first-round talent who needs a complete swing overhaul in pro ball. He does something with his hands that reminds me of a Samurai, but has hit everywhere and has deceptively good in-game power, in addition to fitting at one or both middle-infield positions. Clubs with good hitting development are lining up around this point of the draft.

Baseball American (ranked #55)

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Brown is an athletic, 5-foot-10, 190-pound middle infielder who ranked as the No. 24 prospect in the Cape Cod League last summer after hitting .282/.375/.476 with five home runs with Cotuit. He’s an unusual hitting prospect given his unique setup. Brown starts with his hands fully extended from his body and raised up above his head—which leads to Craig Counsell comparisons—before slowly drawing them back in his load, with a long and deliberate leg kick in the lower half. It is far from a picturesque swing and scouts typically find themselves put off initially, but it’s hard to argue with the numbers he’s posted as a college shortstop. This spring he had a career-best season, hitting .330/.460/.544 with seven home runs, 19 doubles and more walks (39) than strikeouts (28). Brown has always shown impressive plate discipline and he has solid exit velocity numbers as well, giving him a chance for more power if he can get the ball in the air more frequently. He’s an impressive athlete and solid defender who has a chance to stick at shortstop. Brown’s swing is unique, but a college shortstop with his bat-to-ball skills and 2022 production should be a fit among the top three rounds in the draft.

MLB.com (ranked #63)

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Brown has an unusual setup at the plate, holding his hands high and pointing his bat toward the mound before starting his load, but it doesn't prevent him from making consistent contact. Factor in his ability to stay at shortstop and his high baseball IQ, and he could match Mickey Brantley, Kirt Manwaring and Mike Costanzo as the highest-drafted position players in Coastal Carolina history (second round). He earned Cape Cod League all-star honors last summer while playing for Cotuit manager Mike Roberts, who said Brown reminded him of his son -- two-time All-Star Brian. 

An offensive catalyst, Brown has tremendous hand-eye coordination that allows him to barrel balls regularly even though there's a lot going on in his right-handed stroke. He has a quick bat and some sneaky pop that should translate into 15-20 homers per season, and he controls the strike zone well. He's an aggressive baserunner with a knack for stealing bases despite his average speed. 

Brown's instincts also allow him to cover ground in the field. He's one of the better defensive shortstops in college baseball despite playing second base alongside Kentucky's Ryan Ritter on the Cape. With quick hands and feet, at least solid arm strength and a good internal clock, he can play anywhere in the infield if needed.